Thursday, December 25, 2008

Lots of great new music will be available in 2009 and here is what you can expect to find…

January 13 – A new Dean Martin collection of 14-themed songs just in time for Valentine's Day is being assembled by Hip-O . Songs include, You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It); I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face ;For Once In My Life; I'm Confessin' (That I Love You); Somewhere There's A Someone ; For The Good Times ; Besame Mucho; The Glory Of Love; I Will; Release Me; I'll Be Seeing You ; You'll Always Be The One I Love; I Don't Know Why (I Just Do);Everybody Loves Somebody .Blue Note will mark their 70th Anniversary with a single disc, eight-song collection of music called Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records. This set will draw from the list of notable Blue Note artists by re-recording some of their more classic songs with the assist of The Blue Note Seven. The group is comprised of current Blue Note artists Bill Charlap, Nicholas Payton, Ravi Coltrane, Steve Wilson, Peter Bernstein, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash. They will also embark on a 51-date tour.

January 20 - Verve Records will release Volume Three of The Impulse Albums by John Coltrane. The following titles are set for release: The John Contrane Quartet Plpays (1965); Meditations (1966); New Thing At Newport (1966); Kulu Se Mama (1967); and Ascension (1966), which contains both released versions of the album. hese albums are re-mastered and are specially priced digipaks with original LP design. Also on January 20 Concord Records wiil release a 10-track album by saxophonist, Benny Colson, entitled New Time, New ‘tet. Concord Records will release the new album by Jane Monheit called The Lovers, The Dreamers and Me.

From Rhino is Seduction: Sinatra Sings Of Love, availailable in both CD and 2-CD Deluxe Edition; Ultimate Love Songs: The Very Best Of Jim Brickman by Jim Brickman; and Stand (In The Light) from James Ingram.

February 3 - Blueprints of Jazz, Vol 1 (Talking House Records) by Mike Clark;; At Last (Telarc) by Ann Hampton Calloway; Amparo (Decca) by Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour. In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Razor & Tie is set to release Simply Red: The Greatest Hits The compilation will contain 17 tracks including, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and “Holding Back the Years.” Boney James will release a collection of love songs entitled Send One Your Love (Concord).

February 10 – The Moon Came Last Night Dropping Its Clothes In The Streets (ECM) by Jon Hassell. The complete Ben Harper discography is set for re-release in vinyl LP format. Albums include Alone (Live EP); Both Sides Of A Gun; Burn To Shine; Era (Live EP); Diamonds On The Inside; Faded Era (Live EP); Fight For Your Mind; Lifeline; Live From Mars; There Will Be Light’ Welcome To The Cruel World + 7; and Will To Live (Live EP). Also set for release on February 10 is Decade (Emarcy/Universal) by Clifton Anderson.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

D'Angelo is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on his eagerly anticipated full-length album, scheduled for release in Spring 2009. Thus far, he has recorded with Raphael Saadiq, Q Tip and Roy Hargrove. D'Angelo is expected to collaborate with Prince, Cee-Lo and other stellar talents. A single entitled, "I Found My Smile Again" was recently released and is available exclusively on iTunes.

Whenever there's a discussion about the constantly-evolving pantheon of soul music, the spirited conversation will invariably be whittled down to a needle-point, and the discourse dominated by several titans whose amazing artistry and larger than life persona has served as a working blueprint for those who would dare follow in their proverbial footsteps. Any modestly informed exchange inevitably lands at the doorstep of Marvelous Marvin Gaye who dominated the 60's and 70's with poignant compositions of social commentary that remains as relevant today as they were before the legendary studio sessions wrapped, and the prolific powerhouse Prince Rogers Nelson who owned the 80's and early 90's with classic hits that explored the eternal dichotomy of Spirituality vs. Sexuality, while bulldozing through the color-barrier that previously existed at MTV during its infancy. The very next sentence uttered has to firmly steer the focus solely to the Dynamo-Also-Known-As D'Angelo, whose heralded arrival as a musical prodigy on the soul music landscape with an instantly recognizable musical styling and trademark vocal affectations, birthed a whole new movement in black music.

Moviegoers were the first to be treated to D'Angelo's remarkable talents as a songwriter, composer, and musician via his contribution to the 1994 hit film Jason's Lyric starring then-starlet Jada Pinkett Smith and future Oscar award winning actor Forrest Whitaker. D'Angelo truly served up one of the most satisfying appetizers to date before the release of a debut album, when he penned the uplifting male rite-of-passage anthem "U Will Know," which boasted an All-Star line-up of all-male R&B heavy hitters, including but not limited to Brian McKnight, Usher, R.Kelly, Joe, Keith Sweat, Boyz II Men, Tevin Campbell, Raphael Saadiq, and the late great Gerald Levert. D'Angelo chose not to feature his own vocals, but instead just tickled the ivories and served as a New-Jack choir director in the accompanying music video and the memorable live performance at the Soul Train Music Awards. The song was a smash and D'Angelo had yet to sing a single note.

With the stage set thanks to the runaway success of "U Will Know" and industry insiders abuzz following several highly-touted showcases, D'Angelo was indeed ready for his close-up. He set the summer of 1995 ablaze with the provocative scorcher, Brown Sugar, his debut single from an album of the same of name. The track didn't remotely sound like any of the producer driven hits pervasive on Black radio at the time, all featuring drum machines and endlessly looped samples. Instead, as soon as the song begins and his buttery falsetto ad-libs play cat and mouse with the organ refrain, and as authentic musical instruments produce the heavenly groove, you instantly feel you've been allowed beyond the velvet rope into an intimate nightclub featuring Roy Ayers. However, as the verses unfurl, not only is there D'Angelo's distinctly soulful tenor to feast on, but the delivery is much aligned with the flow of many MC's of the day. The Brett-Ratner helmed music video presented D'Angelo as an organ player on lead vocals in jazz trio in a "cigarette-smoke filled" throwback nightclub setting, all the while looking the very essence of Hip-hop edginess rocking cornrows and a swagger that would make him an overnight sex symbol. To further blur and ultimately blend the lines of the seemingly mutually exclusive camps of the mature R&B audience and the rising Hip-hop generation, Brown Sugar was interpreted as a traditional love song about a femme-fatale by the former and as an ode to the joys of pot by the latter. In one fell swoop, D'Angelo appeared to have done the impossible, bridging the chasm that existed in black music at the time by virtue of his artistry and iconic image.

The follow-up single "Cruisin'" was a perfect vehicle for D'Angelo to pay homage to a soul legend and musical influence, Smoky Robinson, while making the classic song palatable for a whole new generation unfamiliar with 70's soul. The third time was indeed the charm with the release of "Lady", a musical collaboration with former Tony Toni Tone front-man, and renaissance soul man, Raphael Saadiq. The song featured what was quickly becoming D'Angelo's signature sound: an undeniable mid-tempo groove with a heavy front-and-center bass line, prominent piano, and gloriously intricate vocal harmonies. The song became his most successful to date, becoming a top 10 pop hit and pushing album sales north of two million in the U.S. alone. The musical partnership forged between D'Angelo and Saadiq would prove to be a successful pairing many times in the future.

There was a five year hiatus between Brown Sugar and his sophomore effort, but there would not be a drought in musical offerings. D'Angelo's talents were in high demand by a host of music artists and the film industry, and he graciously obliged, producing some of the most beloved material in his illustrious catalogue. He and newcomer Erykah Badu teamed up for the dreamy re-working of the Marvin and Tammi Terrell classic "Your Precious Love" for the High School High soundtrack (1996). Erykah went on to become his female counterpart for this new chapter in soul music. Diehard Prince fans were gleefully stunned when D'Angelo covered the obscure B-side "She's Always in My Hair" to perfection for the Scream 2 soundtrack in 1997, just as old school heads were treated to an arguably definitive remake of "Heaven Must Be Like This" by funk pioneers Ohio Players for the Down in the Delta soundtrack in 1998. One of the most stunning productions delivered during D'Angelo's "sabbatical" that closed the decade on a lofty high note, was a colossally celestial coupling with Lauryn Hill on "Nothing Even Matters" for the seminal album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998).

D'Angelo helped to usher in the new millennium with his highly anticipated second opus Voodoo (2000) that effectively lay to rest any fears of the all too common sophomore slump; rather, he delivered on the promise of Brown Sugar exponentially. The single "Untitled (How Does It Feel)", an obvious tribute to the classic slow jams created by His Purple Highness, presented D'Angelo at the apex of his crooning game. However, it was the music video that caused pure pandemonium, featuring D'Angelo as a shirtless Adonis that catapulted him into the stratosphere and firmly cemented his place as the reigning King of Soul. The music video was nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards, "Untitled" itself went on to garner a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Voodoo seized the trophy for Best R&B Album

Monday, December 22, 2008

Kindred The Family Soul hit the road this last week in support of their critically acclaimed CD, THE ARRIVAL which features the hit single, 'House of Love.' The House of Love Affair – is a series of shows where Aja and Fatin touch their fans in an intimate setting with new music from THE ARRIVAL - lands in Philadelphia today (12/9) at Theatre of the Living Arts. The husband and wife duo held their Album Release concert in the venue in 2002. The album is being released by Hidden Beach Recordings. THE ARRIVAL has been critically acclaimed by a number of key press outlets. In addition to the 'Year's Best' honors from iTunes and Soulmusic.com (where the CD is one of the Top Five CDs of year), THE ARRIVAL lands at number 10 on The Urban Network’s Top 20 Indie Artists' Releases for 2008.

"Our music is about love, life, ups, downs and hope," stated Aja Graydon, one half of the husband and wife duo. "We want to share our music so we're hitting the road to help folks kick off the holidays." The House of Love Affair kicked off in Atlanta to a capacity crowd, notable in a our current recession and in a city without radio airplay. So far, Kindred have excited fans in Atlanta, Washington, DC and New York. With the city's loss of the legendary Five Spot, tonight's appearance at TLA represents a real home-coming.

Remaining dates include:Tuesday, December 9, 2008 Philadelphia, PA TLA Friday, December 12, 2008 Indianapolis, IN Marriott Hotel. Additional appearance dates will be announced shortly. In addition to concert appearances, Kindred were seen performing on Patti LaBelle's Holiday Special airing on TV One yesterday - Monday, December 8, 2008. Additionally, music from THE ARRIVAL will be the Official Soundtrack on BET-J's Soul Sessions Last Call 2008 - the Top 50 Countdown on December 31 and New Year's Day.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Tenor jazz saxophonist Ravi Coltrane has put the finishing touches on his long-awaited new recording "BLENDING TIMES" which is set for release on the Savoy Jazz label on January 13th. The follow up to the Grammy-nominated "In Flux" (a recording Ben Ratliff of the New York Times placed at #3 on his Top Ten Jazz Recordings of 2005), Ravi Coltrane again performs primarily with his stellar quartet consisting of Luis Perdomo on piano, Drew Gress on bass and E.J. Strickland on drums. He also invited special guests Charlie Haden and harpist Brandee Younger to perform for a poignant turn as a jazz trio. In addition, Ravi Coltrane will be a featured performer in the Blue Note 7 -- a touring septet which will embark on a 51 date tour of concert halls in 50 cities beginning in January to celebrate Blue Note's 70th Anniversary.

The second son of John and Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane has carefully crafted a career as a musician in his own right recording and performing with a charismatic musical voice and a distinctive presence. His journey as a jazz musician has been a thoughtful evolution filled with interesting, eclectic sideman work (McCoy Tyner, Dave Liebman & Joe Lovano, Steve Coleman, Joanne Brackeen to name a few) and a compelling turn as the leader of a consistently touring jazz quartet formed in 2003.

Ravi Coltrane's jazz quartet of excellent musicians is out in full force on "Blending Times". Their performances reflect a seamless, organic feel informed by the musical relationships of the members of the group. The tracks move between structured improvisational conversations, unique originals, a swing and pulse driven take on Thelonious Monk and moving musical statements.

"Blending Times" came to fruition during a period of personal transition. Coltrane's choice of title suggests a point of convergence for the past and present. His latest recording comes complete with music reflecting a myriad of emotions, played by a stellar group of musicians.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Saxophonist/flutist Robert Kyle and friends celebrate the 50th anniversary of the deliciously elegant Bossa Nova with "Bossalicious," their latest release of Brazilian music. This collection features instrumental Bossa Novas and Brazilian Jazz classics from the pens of Brazilian masters Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ary Barrosso, Dori Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Guinga and more, including music from the classic 1959 film “Orpheu Negro” (Black Orpheus) which helped opened the world's ears to Brazilian music. "Brazilian music is elegant, classy and totally infectious. It has everything I love in music, gorgeous melodies, rich and sophisticated harmony, subtlety, and of course those sultry and hypnotic rhythms..." says Kyle. "Bossalicious" is his 7th release on the Dark Lelishious Music label.

Joining Robert on this "Bossalicious" journey are native Brazilians Roberto Montero on acoustic guitar and vocals, percussionist Cristiano Novelli and American percussionist Ami Molinelli. Like many Americans, Kyle discovered the magical music of Brazil via Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Tom Jobim and Astrud Gilberto with their seminal recordings of "The Girl from Ipanema," "Corcovado" and other Bossa Nova gems from the early 1960s, and he's been enchanted with it ever since. On this CD, he's making the recording that he has wanted to make for a really long time. Kyle continues, "This music has a sophisticated simplicity that I treasure more and more over time.

What makes this particular CD unique is the instrumentation, which features acoustic guitar and TWO percussionists, with one of the percussionists functioning as a bass player by playing a drum with a low tone. This gives the music a very unique texture and lots of space for me to float over and explore all of those delicious melodies that are so well suited for the saxophone and flute." The sparse and lovely wordless vocals provided by Roberto Montero are used as an additional instrument, adding yet another texture to the sonic palette of this delightful recording.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Capitol/EMI is set to release Dean Martin’s most romantic love songs which have been gathered for a mood-setting collection, Amore, to be released January 27, just in time for Valentine's Day. Amore features 15 classics, including "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You," "Just In Time," "That's Amore," "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" and "Dream A Little Dream Of Me."

For Dean Martin, singing came as naturally as breathing. Supple and warm, his vocals dance from breath to word as gracefully as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers gliding in perfect step across the parquetry. Effortlessly cool and dynamic in his life and career, Martin's performances showcased his trademark style of casual, easy charm. His timeless love songs remain universal favorites and perfect accompaniments to any romantic occasion. Martin's velvet voice provided his entry into show business, when he began singing professionally in Ohio's ballrooms. He built a loyal following and moved on to the supper clubs and cabarets of New York City, before moving to Los Angeles and signing with Capitol Records. Martin's meteoric rise to fame made him a big-screen draw and landed him acclaimed roles alongside film legends, including John Wayne and Marlon Brando.

Dean Martin is recognized as one of the 20th Century's greatest entertainers for his decades of hit recordings, films, TV shows and stage performances.

DEAN MARTIN : AMORE (CD, Digital Album)1. Just In Time2. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face3. Let Me Love You Tonight4. How Sweet It Is5. Innamorta (Sweetheart)6. Let's Be Friendly7. Dream A Little Dream Of Me8. That's Amore9. It Looks Like Love10. All I Do Is Dream Of You11. My One and Only Love12. It Won't Cool Off13. Heaven Can Wait14. I Have But One Heart (O Marenariello)15. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Impresario and multi-Grammy winning producer, composer and arranger Quincy Jones will deliver the keynote address at the 2009 South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference in Austin, TX on March 19th, 2009 it was announced today. A longtime humanitarian who produced and conducted the historic "We Are The World" recording benefitting Ethiopian famine relief, Jones is expected to discuss the power of music to influence and create positive change in the world and the responsibility of the artist to use their craft to bring people together for the betterment of mankind.

Among Quincy Jones' countless awards and accolades he is a 27 time Grammy Award winner (the most of any living musician) and is the all-time most nominated Grammy artist with a total of 79 nominations. He is the recipient of an Emmy Award; the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award; 7 Academy Award nominations including one for Best Picture -- only African-American producer to do so; France's highest civilian honor the Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur; and was recognized as a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to the cultural fabric of the United States. Most recently, Jones' vast contributions to music were recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts when he was named a Jazz Master, the nation's highest jazz honor.

Among Jones' current and upcoming projects include the recently released book "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey and Passions," a feature film documentary on Brazil's annual Carnival Festival which will benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Brazil's impoverished Favelas, a bio-pic mini-series on jazz great Louis Armstrong, a duets album with Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder, and a tribute album of his recordings featuring artists such as Usher, John Legend and Amy Winehouse, among others. He is also planning a chain of nightclub-restaurants based on his album Q's Jook Joint, with the first slated to open in Las Vegas in 2009.

Named by Time Magazine as one of the six most influential Jazz artists of the 20th Century, Quincy Jones' career has spanned six decades and encompassed the roles of composer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, record producer, record executive, film and television producer, magazine founder, multi-media entrepreneur and humanitarian. As a master inventor of musical hybrids, Quincy Jones has shuffled pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performances, movies, television and magazine publishing.

Quincy Jones began his career at the age of 13 under the tutelage of legendary Jazz artists such as lifelong friend and collaborator Ray Charles, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Billy Holliday, Billy Eckstine, Bumps Blackwell, Clark Terry, and Bobby Tucker. After receiving scholarships to Seattle University and the Schillinger House, now known as the Berklee College of Music, Jones would move to New York where he officially began his career touring as a trumpeter and arranger for Lionel Hampton. It would be during this period of his life that Jones would make his first trip abroad to Europe where he would witness firsthand the power of music to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries and lead him to a lifelong pursuit of international collaborations and goodwill. In 1953, Jones would depart Hampton's band and begin a busy career as a composer/arranger working with diverse artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown and Cannonball Adderly, as well as Basie, Hampton and Charles.

Jones would again experience music's power to build bridges in 1956 when he was tapped by Dizzy Gillespie to serve as musical director, arranger and trumpeter for the Gillespie Orchestra's U.S. State Department sponsored tour tasked with bringing goodwill to troubled areas in Europe, the Middle East and South America. Following the tour, Jones would re-locate to Paris where he would study with Nadia Boulanger, the legendary Parisian tutor to American expatriate composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copeland.

Jones won the first of his many Grammy Awards in 1963 for his Count Basie arrangement of "I Can't Stop Loving You." His three-year musical association as conductor and arranger with Frank Sinatra in the mid-60's also teamed him with Basie for the classic Sinatra At The Sands, containing the famous arrangement of "Fly Me To The Moon," the first recording played by astronaut Buzz Aldrin when he landed upon the moon's surface in 1969.

As producer and conductor of the historic "We Are The World" recording (the best-selling single of all time), Michael Jackson's multi-platinum solo albums, Off The Wall, Bad and Thriller (the best-selling album of all time), and the multi-Grammy winning "Album of the Year" Back On The Block, Quincy Jones stands as one of the most successful and admired creative artist/executives in the entertainment world.

The South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 18 - 22, 2009 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Quincy Jones' keynote anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition covering a wide variety of topics, addressing the concerns and interests of musicians, executives and music lovers. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1700 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

20 year old, London born singer-songwriter Adele has received four Grammy Award nominations in association with her XL/Columbia Records debut album 19. Adele has been nominated in the categories of Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Released in the UK in January, 19 shot straight to #1 on the UK album sales charts. Adele received glowing reviews from the British press for her incredible songwriting and lush voice. The Observer Music Monthly section gave 19 a five star review exclaiming "Of all 2008's female vocalists, none is as great as this one." The British press further showed their adoration by endorsing Adele as the recipient of the Brit Awards newly inaugurated Critics Choice Award.

With a Brit Award and #1 Album at home, Adele set her sights on the America. 19 was released stateside in June and instantly began receiving raves from the US press. People magazine exclaimed "Adele is Britain's best new singer" in their four star review. The Minneapolis Star Tribune challenged, "hyped as the next Amy Winehouse. That's underselling her. Adele could be the next Annie Lennox. Her voice is that big, that luxurious, that emotional, that versatile." VH1 immediately dubbed Adele a "You Oughta Know Artist" and placed the video for her single "Chasing Pavements" in heavy rotation. "Chasing Pavements" remains the most played video on VH1for 2008.

Adele made her US television debut on the Today Show, and went on to deliver incredible performances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The View, CBS Early Show, CBS News Sunday Morning, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. 19 recently reached #11 on the Top 200 Album chart after groundbreaking performances on Saturday Night Live. Adele is set to perform on Ellen and Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday December 10, 2008.

Touted as an amazing live performer, Adele is set to return to the US for a tour beginning January 14 in Sommerville, MA. The Washington Post proclaimed Adele's live performance as "endearing charm and powerhouse pipes of a bona fide star." The US tour concludes on January 31, in San Diego, CA (see dates below).

Friday, December 12, 2008

Superstar singer songwriter powerhouse couple Ashford & Simpson are set tol release a definitive collection of their Greatest Hits, "Ashford & Simpson: The Real Thing" on CD, DVD and DVD Blu Ray (Burgundy Records / Sony Music). The first-ever live in-concert audio and video recordings are performances by the duo of the hit songs they have written for themselves as well as those made popular by other major music artists. The release date is January 27, 2009.

Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson have had a renowned and celebrated career as performers, songwriters and producers, providing top music artists with some of their biggest hits. The duo boasts 31 singles on the Billboard R&B Chart; six in the Top 10 including their #1 chart hit 'Solid.' Ashford & Simpson produced many Gold certified albums, which have come from their numerous in-studio recordings. They are the recipients of a number of awards including ASCAP's highest honor, The Founder's Award and the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which they received in 1999. In 2002 they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Nick & Valerie met in the choir of Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church and later married. They went on to enjoy a multifaceted career as the most successful husband & wife songwriting / production team in music history; as notable performers in their own right; and as producers at Motown working with many of the legendary artists at the peak of the iconic label's success. Ashford & Simpson's musical influence has impacted worldwide culture over the last four decades.

Legendary and top contemporary music artists that have recorded their songs include; Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson The Supremes, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston and Mary J Blige. Most recently they were given credit for their writing talents on the Amy Winehouse Grammy Award winning CD “Back to Black” " for the single ‘Tears Dry On Their Own.’ The track is based on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1967 Motown classic hit ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.’

The "Ashford & Simpson: The Real Thing" DVD & Blu Ray contains over 90 minutes of exciting concert performances with 18 of the Greatest Hits filmed in HD video and surround sound digital audio. The popular New York City spot, Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, was carefully selected as the setting for its intimacy and the energy a performer and audience can experience only in a nightclub surrounding. Having played larger venues such as Radio City Music Hall, the group realized that a big location could not create special moments. They were right, this unique location created the background for memorable highlights: Valerie's personal interaction with fans out in the audience as well as a special impromptu performance by Freddie Jackson. Nick spotted Jackson in the audience, walked from the stage to him and handed him a mic. Jackson took the mic and sang along side Nick which the audience ate up.

There is thirty minutes of bonus content which includes a retrospective feature from CBS Sunday Morning, an intimate at-home interview and 2 tracks from a never-before-seen concert of Dr. Maya Angelou and Ashford & Simpson performing together on stage. The DVD features an exclusive premiere of four songs from Ashford & Simpson's upcoming Broadway musical, "Invisible Life."

The live CD features 14 Greatest Hits with over 65 minutes of live performance as well as a link giving the consumer access to ringtones, audio & video streams, links to purchase recordings of Ashford & Simpson songs that have been recorded by other artists and never-before seen interviews.

Ashford & Simpson will embark on the U.S. Love Tour in 2009.DVD & BLU RAYDVD & BLU RAYIt's Much DeeperYour Precious Love,Stay FreeFound A CureStill Such A ThingSolidGimme Something RealI'm Every WomanI'm Not That ToughThis Is Where We MeetI Don't Ride That TrainBorn This WayInvisible LifeLet's Go Get StonedAin't Nothing Like The Real ThingYou're All I Need To Get ByReach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)Ain't No Mountain High Enough

CDIt's Much DeeperYour Precious LoveStay FreeFound A CureStill Such A ThingSolidGimme Something RealI'm Every WomanI'm Not That ToughLet's Go Get StonedAin't Nothing Like The Real ThingYou're All I Need To Get ByReach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Saisse recorded the album with a basic line-up of Simon Phillips (The Who, Mick Jagger, Toto, Jeff Beck) on Drums, Pino Palladino (John Mayer, The Who, Di Angelo, Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton) on Bass, and KOCH recording artist Jeff Golub (Rod Stewart) on Guitar. Utilizing the Internet, he tapped into musicians from London, New York, and even Japan, who all recorded their parts live, and sent them to his Los Angeles-based studio, where he produced and orchestrated the project into a seamless whole. These contributors included Angélique Kidjo, Rick Braun, Jeff Beal, Kirk Whalum, Michael Davis and David Rice. The entire record was mixed with Co-producer and Engineer Goh Hotoda in Tokyo, Japan; and the result is a stunning kaleidoscope of musical adventure.

"At World's Edge" is the follow up to Saisse's "The Body And Soul Sessions" (April 2006), which included the hit single "Do It Again." The track stayed #1 on the Billboard and Radio & Records smooth jazz charts for six consecutive weeks, and finished #6 on Billboard's Top 100 Most Played Contemporary Jazz Radio Year End Chart for that year. While delivering a substantial number of follow-up radio hits that blend a smooth, lyrical vibe with rock solid jazz-funk, "At World's Edge" goes much deeper, weaving together a rich, melodic tapestry of progressive, impressionistic, and global threads. Though it doesn't offer a specific narrative concept, it's a collection that feels like a complete work, where each track contributes to a total musical journey.

The track listing is as follows:1. From Nowhere to Now Here (Intro)2. From Nowhere to Now Here3. The Rover4. Billy's Blues5. AT World's Edge (Instrumental)6. Monday Afternoon7. Assante Sana8. Roppongi Blues9. Through Tainted Glass10. Topanga Moon Dance11. Junto12. At World's Edge (vocal)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Diana Krall first new CD in nearly three years - Quiet Nights, is to be released on March 31, is Krall's CD of new material in three years. Krall, known for her crossover appeal had twin sons with husband Elvis Costello in 2006; they turned 2 Dec. 6. The 10 songs include ballads, three recordings of songs by bossa nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim, and standards such as "Walk On By" by Burt Bacharach. A two-time Grammy winner, Krall is surrounded by familiar faces on "Quiet Nights." In addition to her longtime quartet and producer Tommy LiPuma, who worked with her on nine previous recordings, arranger Claus Ogerman returns. He last worked with Krall on her 2001 record "The Look of Love." Ogerman was the arranger on many of bossa nova's first wave of recordings in the 1960s, working with Jobim, Frank Sinatra, Stan Getz and Bill Evans. Ogerman came out of semiretirement to once again work with Krall. LiPuma, who first worked with Krall in 1994, said the record shows how she has matured as a singer. In addition to finishing "Quiet Nights," Krall is producing a new Barbra Streisand record that is slated to be completed in January and released sometime in 2009. Krall intends to tour North America in April following the release of "Quiet Nights." Krall’s previous album release was The Very Best of Diana Krall (her eleventh) and it was released in 2007. In the U.S. the CD debuted on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at number 19.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Jamaica’s Rose Hall development in Montego Bay is set to become a feast for the soul this January when the “new” Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival returns to the popular resort area from January 22-24, 2009. Fans will be able to sing along to the soulful sounds of the famous O’Jays, Atlantic Starr, Lionel Richie, Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame and Maxi Priest among several others.

Many will remember the O’Jays for hits like “Lonely Drifter,” “Backstabbers,” Put Your Hands Together,” “For the Love of Money,” “Give the People What They Want,” “Let Me Make Love To You” and “Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love).” Of course Atlantic Starr has thrilled many with “Always“ and who could forget “Secret Lovers?” While Lou Gramm has lent his voice to Foreigner with “I Want to Know What Love Is“ and “Waitin For A Girl Like You,” among others, Lionel Richie’s musical repertoire needs no introduction.

The Academy-award and Grammy-award winning singer returns to the festival with old and new hits, including a sneak peak into this 2009 album, “Just Go.” The album's lead single “Good Morning” was released to Urban AC radio on November 3, 2008 and features the writings of Akon and Ne-Yo. Of course there will be no ignoring of the classics like “Stuck On You,” “Endless Love” and “Three Times A Lady.”

And Maxi Priest is sure to spice things up with a glimpse into his “Wild World,” as he takes “Just A Little Bit Longer” to get “Close To You.”

The 2009 festival is being presented this year by the Jamaica Tourist Board, which is the new title sponsor. As such, the festival has been renamed the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. Executive producer, Walter Elmore of Turn Key Productions explains, the annual event has definitely become synonymous with brand Jamaica so renaming it makes sense.

The festival, which since its introduction in 1996 was known as the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica. International artistes that have performed at the festival include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Kenny G., Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Kool & the Gang, Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Brian McKnight Harry Belafonte, Babyface, Stephanie Mills, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, and many more. And to bring the Jamaican flavor, well-known names such as Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Toots Hibbert, Shaggy, Sean Paul Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Monty Alexander, Ritchie Stephens and many other Jamaican talents have made their mark on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage.

Monday, December 08, 2008

R&B singer/songwriter D'Angelo is currently putting the finishing touches on his eagerly anticipated new album at a studio in Hollywood, CA. The platinum selling R&B-soul singer-songwriter is scheduled to release his new studio album in spring 2009 through the RCA Music Group, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.

"D'Angelo is completely and totally immersed in this album," says D'Angelo's spokesperson Dyana Williams. "This is the next level of his artistic expression. He is like a proud father and this album is his musical child. This album will be well worth the wait." Donna Caseine of Universal Music Publishing Group agrees: "D'Angelo has inspired many artists and writers as if he had been recording for decades. This is certainly one of the most anticipated records for 2009."

When he is not totally immersed in the recording of his new album, D'Angelo has been vigorously working out in preparation for his upcoming tour in 2009. The singer-songwriter's commitment to personal fitness and health has given him the clarity needed to focus on his music. "D'Angelo is looking good and training hard," says Mark Jenkins, D'Angelo's personal trainer.

D'Angelo recently announced his return with the digital release of his iTunes exclusive single "I Found My Smile Again" (Remake) which is currently up for a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance. The track showcases D'Angelo's perfection of soul fusion, a genre that mixes everything from funk and jazz to hints of hip-hop with some of the most charismatic R&B vocal styling. Peter Edge, Creative Executive, RCA Music Group is excited by the response to the latest single and is quick to point out the wide appeal of D'Angelo's talents: "I want D'Angelo to be a big, universal superstar who could transcend genre and appeal to everyone. He's that good!"

D'Angelo remains one of the founding fathers of the R&B soul movement of the middle to late '90s, which took classic R&B and fused it with new age hip-hop soul. His debut album "Brown Sugar" won him countless die-hard fans, not to mention double platinum success. His follow-up "Voodoo" debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 and earned D'Angelo a Grammy for Best R&B Album, plus a second Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)."

Sunday, December 07, 2008

For the past 25 years Clifton Anderson has traveled the world as Sonny Rollins's front-line partner, and over a long career he's racked up sideman credits with artists such as Slide Hampton, McCoy Tyner, Muhal Richard Abrams, and the Mighty Sparrow. Now, with his new CD "Decade," Anderson has created an outstanding showcase for his skills as a player, composer, bandleader, and record producer. Anderson's previous record as a leader was 1996's "Landmarks," so "Decade" is his attempt at "encapsulating ten years of development, my perceptions and insights as a trombonist, producer, and writer."

Anderson believes that musicians who play together frequently and have known each other for a long time make the best music, and on the new CD he surrounded himself with close associates who happen to be among jazz's leading lights. From Rollins bands past and present come Bob Cranshaw, Stephen Scott, Steve Jordan, Al Foster, and Kimati Dinizulu. Jordan, Anderson, and pianist Larry Willis are alumni of New York's High School of Music and Art. Tenor saxophonist Eric Wyatt is Rollins's godson (Anderson is Sonny's nephew). Christian McBride and Kenny Garrett are friends of many years' standing; Garrett was a guest on Landmarks, and McBride was featured at Rollins's 50th anniversary Carnegie Hall concert in 2007.

"Everything I do musically is a representation of my life, and my life is really closely associated with my family," says Anderson. "I have very strong relationships obviously with my uncle, and with my mother; they've been the two essential relationships. In every note I play, there's something of my mother in there and something of Sonny."

"Decade" is dedicated to his mother, Gloria Rollins Anderson, who passed away in the spring of 2008. The standards "I'm Glad There Is You" and "We'll Be Together Again" were recorded with her in mind.

The CD also contains Clifton's arrangements of "I'm Old Fashioned" and the 1971 Bread hit "If" ("I always loved the melody to that song; I thought it would lend itself to the trombone and my sound in particular"), as well as six strong originals, including the calypso "Ah Soon Come," "Deja Blu" ("written to hark back to the classic 12-bar blues--I think we really captured that"), and the closer "Stubbs," a tribute to the late saxophonist John Stubblefield.

Clifton Anderson was born in Harlem in 1957 and raised in the Bronx. Although he received his first trombone (from his uncle Sonny) when he was 7, he didn't get serious about the instrument until his teens, after hearing the sound of J.J. Johnson's trombone on the album J.J.'s Broadway. "One of the things Sonny told me when I started playing is that your own personal sound is the most important thing," says Clifton. "What separates you from the next person is your sound, which makes you unique. Technique and all the rest comes later."

A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Anderson is an original member of Slide Hampton's The World of Trombones. He spent three years with the group in the late 1970s, and has also contributed to albums by jazz artists such as Muhal Richard Abrams, Geri Allen, Lester Bowie, McCoy Tyner, and Wallace Roney as well as to sessions by Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and calypsonians Lord Nelson and the Mighty Sparrow. Clifton began his long professional association with Sonny Rollins in 1983, performing on the saxophonist's "Sunny Days, Starry Nights" album. Recently, he's produced Rollins's Grammy-nominated "Sonny, Please" and the just-released "Road Shows, vol. 1," both for Doxy Records.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz (PCJ) have announced the signing of Washington, DC-based jazz ensemble, Saltman Knowles. The agreement anticipates the release of their new CD, Return of the Composer, slated for a street date of February 10, 2009. Bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles, the leaders of this seamless blending of sounds, met while attending the composition program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and created a musical bond with similar affections for the music of Billy Strayhorn, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton and Charles Mingus, among others. Their latest CD project, Return of the Composer, emphasizes their commitment to original music with a deep love for melodic color, texture, and groove. The group continues their journey into creative musical exploration by including vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm as an instrumental effect doing vocalease on many of the songs.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to represent Saltman Knowles' fifth and most impressive CD to date," says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. "This album truly confirms the compositional strength of Mark Saltman and William Knowles with a track list of sophisticated yet soulful original music." Nichols' label has teamed up with publicist Joy Foster of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Neal Sapper at New World N'Jazz for access to international media buying and radio promotion. Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is a boutique jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. For information on Pacific Coast Jazz, click to: www.pacificcoastjazz.com.

Friday, December 05, 2008

R&B artist Raphael Saadiq, whose recently-released Columbia Records album, The Way I See It, puts a new school spin on Gamble & Huff's profound musical legacy, has been invited to perform a special mini-set at the legendary PIR Studios on Friday, December 5. Currently on tour with labelmate John Legend, Saadiq will sing in the studio for PIR founders Gamble & Huff for a WDAS radio special, hosted by legendary Philly DJ Butterball Tamburro, honoring the music and history of Philadelphia International Records. The WDAS radio special will air 7:00-9:00 PM EST. Saadiq will open for John Legend at Philadelphia's Tower Theater the evening of December 5.

Raphael Saadiq has been playing music since the age of 6, first rising to prominence under the name Raphael Wiggins in the groundbreaking R&B trio Tony! Toni! Tone! in the late 1980s. Launching his career as a solo artist in the mid 1990s, Raphael earned five Grammy nominations -- setting the record for an independent release -- for his 2002 album debut, "Instant Vintage," a rollicking old school/contemporary soul combination of dance-oriented R&B, witty sampling, spirit-filled gospel, and straight-up fun. A crossover success, "Instant Vintage" peaked at #25 on the Billboard Top 200 and #6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.

Raphael's collaborated with, and produced records for, a who's who of contemporary R&B, notably D'Angelo, who won a Grammy in 2000 for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers, Teedra Moses, The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Devin the Dude, Kelis, Q-Tip, Lil' Skeeter, The Bee Gees, Nappy Roots, T-Boz from TLC, Joss Stone, Young Bellz, Earth, Wind & Fire and many others. Raphael took home a shared Best R&B Song Grammy in 2002 for his work on "Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)" by Erykah Badu featuring Common.

His new album, The Way I See It, is the finest example to-date of Raphael's patented downtown sound, a masterful blend of old and new school sensibilities on tracks featuring guest artists Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z and much more.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, recently named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time," will ring in the New Year with a series of East Coast concert performances in January. Winwood's upcoming East Coast concert dates mark the first U.S. headline tour since 2007 for the legendary rock superstar, who last toured the states with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in the summer of 2008. Winwood is currently enjoying the success of his most recent album, Nine Lives, which entered the Billboard 200 at #12 last May, bringing the artist his highest chart debut, and best first week's sales, of the SoundScan era. Eric Clapton, Winwood's former bandmate in Blind Faith, rock's original "supergroup," lent his signature guitar work to "Dirty City," the album's first single, which held the #1 added single spot for three weeks in a row and peaked at the overall #2 spot on AAA Radio.

Winwood (who turned 60 on May 12, 2008) was perhaps the youngest member of the original British pop music invasion of the mid-1960s. A prodigious guitarist and keyboard player in the Birmingham R&B scene by his mid-teens, Winwood cut his musical chops as a back-up musician for an impressive array of American rock & roll and blues pioneers -- including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley -- during their UK tours.

In 1962, Steve and his older brother, Muff Winwood, began playing with Spencer Davis and drummer Pete York in The Rhythm & Blues Quartet, an ensemble which would eventually morph into the Spencer Davis Group. An intensely powerful and emotional vocalist and formidable songwriter, Steve Winwood launched an enormously influential "blue-eyed soul" movement with hits like "Keep On Runnin'," "Somebody Help Me," and, especially, the massively successful pop-soul anthem, "Gimme Some Lovin'." Originally released in 1966, "Gimme Some Lovin'" entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996. Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group in 1967 to form the groundbreaking jazz-rock ensemble Traffic.

In 1966, as "Gimme Some Lovin'" transformed the pop landscape, the 18-year-old Steve Winwood entered into his first collaboration with Eric Clapton, recording three songs - "Steppin' Out," "Crossroads," and "I Want To Know" -- as the Powerhouse (a group which also included future Cream bassist Jack Bruce). Winwood and Clapton would join forces again in 1969 to create Blind Faith, one of pop music's first bona fide supergroups, with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Rick Grech.

Following the break-up of Traffic in 1974 (they would reform and successfully tour in the 1990s), Steve Winwood launched a successful solo career which reached an apogee in the mid-1980s with the release of four classic albums in a row: Arc of a Diver (1981, platinum); Talking Back To The Night (1982); Back In The High Life (1986, 3x platinum), which featured the #1 smash, "Higher Love," which earned Winwood a trio of Grammys including "Record of the Year"; and the #1 Billboard chart-topping "Roll With It" (1988, 2x platinum).

Part one of "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" -- a two-part PBS television special celebrating the enduring musical legacy of the mythic musical production/songwriting duo Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and the entire family of Philadelphia International Records artists premiered Thanksgiving weekend through PBS affiliates nationwide, with subsequent airings across-the-country during the PBS December Pledge Week (please check your local listings).Beginning late November, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" beganl airing in a variety of major markets across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Oakland-San Jose, Boston, Atlanta, Washington DC, Houston, Detroit, Phoenix, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Minneapolis and more (please see more complete listings following). For more information, please click to phillysoulclassics.com.

A cornerstone event in Legacy Recordings' monumental Philly Soul reissue project, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" was filmed during an historic live concert showcasing some of the greatest music and musicians in the Philadelphia International Records catalog, including The O'Jays, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Bunny Sigler, Three Degrees, The Soul Survivors, Jean Carne, G.C. Cameron, and The Sound Of Philadelphia Orchestra.. The "Love Train" concert was taped in front of a live audience on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the landmark Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, documented in High Definition with a 11 camera set-up and state-of-the-art audio reproduction.

Gamble & Huff are best-known as the creators of the classic Philly Soul Sound that began dominating music and radio charts in the early 1970s and continues to thrive into the 21st century.Performances on part one of the "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" concert specials include "TSOP" (TSOP Orchestra with The Three Degrees), "The Love I Lost" (Harold Melvin's Blue Notes), "Expressway to Your Heart" (Soul Survivors), "I'm Stone In Love With You" (Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics), "I Love Music" (The O'Jays), "Rubberband Man" (G.C. Cameron), "Me & Mrs. Jones" (Bunny Sigler), "Used To Be My Girl" (The O'Jays), "Wake Up Everybody" (Harold Melvin's Blue Notes), "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" (Bunny Sigler, Jean Carne, The Three Degrees), "Never Gonna Give You Up" (Jerry Butler), "La La Means I Love You" (The Delfonics) and "People Get Ready / Love Train" (The O'Jays).

"Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" is an unprecedented musical experience, the most comprehensive cavalcade of Philly Soul icons ever. Combining dramatic sets and vibrant lighting, inspired by the design aesthetic of Philadelphia International Records' classic album covers, with a non-stop succession of electrifying performances, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" provides a 21st century venue for one of the greatest soul revues in concert history, a high energy tribute to the immortal sights and sounds of Philly Soul.

The "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" DVD will include bonus tracks and an exclusive documentary covering the Gamble & Huff collaboration which has so deeply influenced popular music and culture over the past five decades.A second one-hour "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" special will be scheduled for pledge broadcast in 2009.

2008 has shaped up as a banner year in the phenomenal careers of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the newly-named Ahmet Ertegun Award (formerly the "non-performer category") at a ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on March 10, 2008. In its review of the ceremony, the San Francisco Chronicle praised Gamble & Huff for creating a "melodic, luxurious sound -- perfect for a world switching from mono to stereo -- (that) was consistent no matter which artist they produced."

NOW That's What I Call Motown is the latest release from the hugely successful NOW That's What I Call Music! series, which has collectively scanned over 70 million units in the U.S. over the last decade. The album will be released on CD and digitally on January 13. This new release features 25 of the most beloved, timeless classics, R&B and soul tracks from some of the greatest music artists of all-time, with its release marking the legendary label's 50th anniversary since Berry Gordy established the original "Hitsville U.S.A." at 2648 West Brand Boulevard in his hometown of Detroit.

The tracks include Barrett Strong "Money (That's What I Want)" (co-written by Gordy), The Miracles "Shop Around" (the label's very first R&B #1 in 1961), The Marvelettes "Please Mr. Postman" (its first Pop #1), Mary Wells "My Guy," The Temptations "My Girl" and "I Can't Get Next to You," The Supremes "Stop in the Name of Love" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On," Marvin Gaye "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and "Let's Get It On," Smokey Robinson & The Miracles "The Tears Of A Clown," The Jackson 5 "I Want You Back," Stevie Wonder "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," Edwin Starr "War," The Commodores "Brickhouse," Diana Ross "Upside Down" and Rick James "Super Freak," among others.

NOW That's What I Call Motown follows the release of the 10-CD deluxe Motown: The Complete No. 1's box set on Motown/UMe, on December 9. The NOW series has been called the "most successful brand in music" and has sold millions of copies all over the world. Every recent NOW release has debuted in one of the top slots on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. In addition, NOW's collective releases sell more than any other music property each year. Since its debut in 1998, the NOW That's What I Call Music! series has sold over 70 million CDs in the U.S. alone and every one of the 28 previous releases has been certified at least platinum, with NOW 5 reaching quadruple platinum and the 2001's initial NOW That's What I Call Christmas! compilation going quintuple platinum.

The Best Of NOW That's What I Call Music! 10th ANNIVERSARY edition was released simultaneously with NOW That's What I Call Music! Volume 29 on November 11. NOW That's What I Call Motown is the first edition of the NOW series to celebrate the repertoire of a single label. The NOW That's What I Call Music! series is a compilation joint venture from EMI Music North America, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Grammy Award-winning songstress Natalie Cole is back on the road in support of her September release, Still Unforgettable, the highly anticipated follow up to the Grammy-winning favorite, Unforgettable ... With Love. Cole's scheduled concert at Spotlight 29 Casino has been moved up one week earlier than previously announced. The concert will now be staged on Saturday, January 10, 2009. Tickets purchased for the previous date will be honored for the new date. Natalie is an eight-time Grammy (R) Award winner, an accomplishment that speaks to her musicianship, her critically acclaimed abilities as a vocalist and her connection to her fans. Her canon includes such No. 1's as "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," "Inseparable," "Our Love," "I've Got Love On My Mind," "Pink Cadillac" and "Miss You Like Crazy." She has sold more than 30 million albums.

Will Downing is back on the road in spite of the fact that he took time away from live performances this past year. Downing is battling the degenerative muscle disease polymyositis. He recently returned to the stage for a series of performance just this past summer. He is currently on the road as part of a Smooth Christmas tour that features Lalah Hathaway and Gerald Albright. The tour launched on November 28 at the Detroit Opera House and winds up on December 21 at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta Georgia. In all, the tour will stop in 9 cities. Downing was recently quoted saying “You know what? I take it day by day. You know the phone is ringing consistently for folks to book me to come out and do whatever I do. That’s good, but I’m trying to do a good balancing act now. I take a little work, do a little play. I do what I can do. I don’t over-extend myself.”

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

American Music Awards Merit Award Recipient Annie Lennox is about to release The Annie Lennox Collection, which paints a vivid portrait in song of the most successful female British artist in pop music history. Available February, 10, 2009 from Arista Records, this 14-song retrospective brings together the acclaimed artist's finest solo work on a single disc for the first time, and includes a pair of new songs available exclusively with this release.

This year the American Music Awards presented Annie Lennox with a special Award of Merit given to some of the industry's most influential artists. Previous honorees include Prince, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond and Gloria Estefan. During the show, Lennox will also give a special performance which will be her first since having back surgery in August, 2008. The show aired live from the Nokia Theatre in L.A. on Sunday, November 23 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC.

Spanning 15 years, The Annie Lennox Collection also available in a Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes hits from her four top-selling solo albums Diva (1992), Medusa (1995), Bare (2003) and last year's highly praised Songs of Mass Destruction. The timeless music selected for this collection uniquely reflects the essence of the singer's instantly recognizable brand of soul music on tracks like "Why," "Walking on Broken Glass" and "No More 'I Love You's'" -- a song that earned Lennox one of her four Grammys.

The retrospective also includes two new songs that Lennox recorded specially for this collection. The first, "Pattern of My Life," was written by Tom Chaplin of Keane. The second is a cover of "Shining Light," a song originally recorded by Ash in 2001. "I first discovered this song by Ash about six years ago, and I simply couldn't stop listening to it. It's so exultant that it virtually shimmers," Lennox says. Among the many highlights on The Annie Lennox Collection is "Sing," a song that references The SING Campaign, a humanitarian organization Lennox founded to raise awareness and support for the AIDS/HIV pandemic in Africa. "We're still in the early stages, but this is a lifelong commitment on my part," Lennox says. "I'm coming out from behind my singing voice to express myself in broader terms and help give a voice to those who don't have the same opportunities as I do."

In her 26-year career, both as a member of the groundbreaking Eurythmics and as a solo artist, Lennox has amassed sales of more than 78 million albums worldwide. Her towering achievements also include 34 hit singles, four Grammy Awards, 11 Brit Awards and five Ivor Novello Awards. The superstar has also won an Academy Award and Golden Globe.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Joining the all-star lineup for the 16th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival is British folk singer and songwriter James Blunt, who will dazzle the crowds with his soulful ballads. In addition to Blunt, this year's event, running from January 12-18, 2009 will feature a wide range of both contemporary and classic jazz vocalists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harvey Mason, David Burnett, Angie Stone and the BCC Jazz Project, among others. Ticket prices start at $25 USD ($50 BDS) per person. Attendees can purchase a full season pass to all The festival will be staged across some of Barbados' most picturesque and enchanting locations around the island, including: the Sunbury Plantation House; Heritage Park/The Rum Factory; Garfield Sobers Complex; and Farley Hill National Park. In addition, Errol Ince will headline a special dinner set at The Crane Resort & Residences on Thursday evening, January 15, 2009.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Coming up on Saturday, November 29, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne & Friends - including Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez and Ry Cooder - will convene for a one-night-only Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to raise funds to help survivors of the second most destructive Atlantic hurricane season on record. Proceeds from the post-Thanksgiving weekend concert will go towards Operation USA's ongoing disaster relief efforts in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba and Haiti, with specific attention to programs designed to address the urgent local needs of displaced families and health facilities stretched to the breaking point.

Taking place during a break from Browne's Time The Conqueror World Tour, the show will be his last in Southern California until the summer of 2009. Also accompanying Browne at the benefit is his band of fifteen years: Kevin McCormick (bass), Mark Goldenberg (guitars), Mauricio Lewak (drums) and Jeff Young (keyboards, backing vocals). They'll also be joined by new members Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills, vocalists Browne met in 2001.

Jackson Browne was inspired to organize the concert in response to the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which hit Cuba, Haiti and the U.S. Gulf Coast twice within three weeks in late August and early September, 2008. Since then, the situation has become even more dire, as the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season has proven to be unusually unrelenting and destructive. Recent storms including Hurricanes Omar and Paloma - the latter being the second strongest November hurricane in recorded history and was especially ravaging in Cuba - have continued to wreak havoc, further hampering relief efforts. All three areas are critically in need of aid to help restore safety and provide appropriate healthcare.

Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based humanitarian aid organization that helps people rebuild their lives after man-made or natural disasters, has been on the front lines of aggressive relief efforts throughout Cuba, Haiti and our Gulf Coast this season. Operation USA has been cited by Worth Magazine as one of the "100 Best Charities in America," and was recently named the #1 Privately Funded Charity by watchdog group Charity Navigator. Since 1979, they have aided people in 99 countries, delivering over $275 million for relief projects. The organization accepts no government funding and is a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as part of "The International Campaign to Ban Landmines."

Jackson Browneis currently touring in support of his new album, Time The Conqueror. The tour kicked off September 15 in Washington, DC, and the Washington Post wrote of the opening night show, "The new material demonstrated that Browne, just a few weeks shy of 60, still has a terrific touch. That was particularly true on the contemplative, vividly drawn title track of 'Time the Conqueror,' the soaring if wistful 'Giving That Heaven Away' and the echoing, atmospheric 'Live Nude Cabaret'...When it was done - after a reggaefied encore version of 'I Am a Patriot' - Browne thanked the audience for having indulged him. He needn't have: The pleasure was ours."

Produced by Browne and Paul Dieter, Time The Conqueror was released September 23 on Inside Recordings, the independent label founded and run by Browne and his management team. It is hisfirst set of new studio material since 2002's The Naked Ride Home, and follows up two live albums recorded during recent solo acoustic tours in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia: the GRAMMY(R)-nominated Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 ('05) and Vol. 2 ('08). For more information, click to to http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/

Sunday, November 23, 2008

New from Femi Kuti is his latest studio release, Day By Day, a hybrid of Afro-pop, jazz and urban influences. The album has been a long time coming: seven years since his last studio album Fight To Win and four years since the live Africa Shrine, which contains early versions of three songs from this new album. ways Day By Day is a return to the glory days of Nigeria's big bands, of wailing organs, frantic polyrhythms and behemoth horn sections, playing against each other. Yet, now the palette is broader. "Do You Know" and "They Will Run" are undeniably jazz. "You Better Ask Yourself," "Oyimbo" and "Eh Oh" carry the air of lost messages from Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield. And then there is the title track, infused with gospel, suffering and ghostly echoes of work songs from the early 20th century. Classic Afrobeat, classic Kuti. "Everybody is back in training now," he smiles, "we have to re-establish my music. We have to come out and play it live, because the record industry is in such a bad shape, we are all suffering. He laughs, "luckily, the African man is used to suffering." Kuti is also slated for a 2009 North American tour (see dates below).